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blog, Blogging, essays, hope, inspiration, mental health, mental illness, mentally ill, paranoid schizophrenia, psychiatry, psychology, schizophrenia, writing
I have a lump in my throat and tears sitting at the rim of my eyes as I type this. When you have something like paranoid schizophrenia and you constantly hear that it is one of the most severe of the mental illnesses, you don’t expect anything good to come of that diagnosis.
But something good has come. I was contacted twice on Facebook yesterday by people I don’t know. Both of the people had read my recent article in The Mighty – one had a daughter who is currently being evaluated in order to determine her diagnosis, and the other person has schizophrenia. Both of these people said they found comfort and hope in my words.
Every night around bedtime I try to think of a blog for the next day. Once I have an idea, I begin to relax and think of sentences I would like to work on in the morning. When I am busy doing this, something I love, it never occurs to me that it is possible that my words will be read by someone who is struggling with their own mental illness, or someone who is afraid of what having a mental illness means, or someone who is sick with worry about their child who is starting to develop symptoms. I don’t know who exactly my words will reach or be read by or how they will be received. I simply try to come up with an idea I feel is interesting to write about.
I know when you or a loved one gets a diagnosis you want to know all you can about that diagnosis. You want to know the survival rate, the best medicines, the risks, the symptoms – you want to know the prognosis. Is it good?
You search the Internet for answers. You stumble upon a blog. It is the blog of a woman who has lived with paranoid schizophrenia for over two decades. She worked most of her adult life, she is married. She has symptoms every day but she manages, and most importantly, at fifty, she is back in school training for a new career –one that she can honestly do despite her struggles. And there is this, she is happy. Yes, there it is, written all over her posts – she cherishes the life she has been given.
My life has its battles and its imperfections but it is the only life I have and I don’t want to give it up or give it back. It’s mine. I’ll make it the best that I can. And I’m here to encourage you to do the same. I hope this reaches all of you who are terrified of schizophrenia. There is hope, and hope is your best protection in the storm – never lose it or the wind and rain can overtake you.
Thank you for writing this.
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You are welcome!! 🙂
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Great post. I am a counselor who works with people with schizophrenia other severe mental illnesses. I have learned that it can be a terrifying experience and very lonely too. I appreciate posts like this one. Sometimes I encourage my clients to read blogs from people with similar experiences. Yours might be a good one to share if you don’t mind.
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Thank you. I would be happy if you shared my blog. 🙂
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Wonderful post! ❤
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Thank you!!! 🙂
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That is what we should be doing right? To share the support and fight together. Good going! God Bless you. xo
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Thank you for your kind words and support!!! 🙂
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I don’t ever recall telling my kindergarten teacher that when I grow up, I want to lose everything I had ever dreamed of and land face down in the basement of a dark & cold courthouse in what they called the county jail…Schizophrenia can be very devastating; however, I am a survivor just like you and I want to share as much hope with those still struggling as I can.
A college friend of my father who became a Christian psychologist or psychiatrist, not clearly sure which, but anyways, my dad took me over to his home to visit for a couple hours during…oh, I’d say my seventh or eighth year in the institution. He asked me if I could go back and change anything from my past, what would it be?
To his utter shock, I answered, “Absolutely nothing.”
“Why?” he inquired.
“Because, I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t faced these particular challenges…I always wanted to be an understanding and patient woman who didn’t pass judgment upon others…I wanted to be happy and feel a peaceful contentment in my heart that regardless of my past, no one could take that away from me.”
He didn’t seem to fully understand; however, I believe that you and many others out there know exactly what I am talking about: coming out of the quicksand and developing genuine empathy for others and their issues AND not giving others some superficial book-learned knowledge that doesn’t come from experience is what this world needs. Thanks for following my blog. I wish you the best and will start following your journey as well. Hugs, LaVancia
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Thank you for sharing. Yes, it can be devastating to the person, as well as, the family. It is a tough disease. I feel for everyone it touches. Genuine empathy is a gift. Thank you for understanding and commenting here. My best to you!
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What a wonderful and encouraging post, Rebecca!
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I read almost every one of your posts. While I do not have schizophrenia (I’m bipolar), I am in direct contact with those who do. You are an inspiration to all of us who have mental illnesses. 💖
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That is so kind. Thank you so much for saying that, and for reading my blog!!! My very best to you. 🙂
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This a great post Rebecca! I agree,schizophernia can be hard to live with.But as someone who has it too,i’m managing.I’m the only one in my family who has it,which can be lonely.I’m so glad I found your blog! And all the great online support groups,they help me a lot!
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